I am a little bit late announcing this, however, I am delighted to say that my novel, The House on the Shore has now been released as an audio book. Narrated by the wonderful and very talented Ruth Urquhart, it is available from Audible, Amazon and iTunes.

The House on the Shore audio book cover

Terror haunts a Scottish glen:

Heartbroken Anna MacDonald leaves Edinburgh to find peace at the edge of a Scottish loch. Safely ensconced in her late grandmother’s cottage, she can finally heal her heart and write the novel that has burned inside her for years.

Her peace is short-lived. When debonair artist Luke Tallantyre’s yacht gets stranded in the loch, he seeks help at the nearest residence – Anna’s croft. She finds him annoying. He instantly dislikes the stunning but cranky hermit.

But there’s indisputable evidence that a hit man is on the prowl in the village. Is he after Anna? And what is Luke keeping from her that could deepen the danger? Against their wills, they join forces and embark on an adventure neither ever imagined…including a chance at true love.

Over the weekend of 11-13 July, two hundred and fifty novelists gathered in glorious sunshine for the annual Romantic Novelists’ Association conference at Harper Adams University. Set in the heart of the Shropshire, Harper Adams is an agricultural college complete with cows, pigs and sheep, and yes, all the associated farmyard aromas.

Harper Adams University

As usual, the conference content was superb, with a mixture of workshops and talks on traditional and self-publishing, as well as technique. My main problem was choosing what to attend. As workshops run concurrently, I rushed from one to next, only pausing for a quick cup of tea and chat with a friend.

Sue Moorcroft leading one of the panels.

The highlight of the weekend was the gala dinner on the Saturday evening, during which Janice Preston was presented with the Elizabeth Goudge Prize for the best short story written by a conference attendee.

Rosemary Gemmell at the Gala Dinner

The following weekend, I took part in the Penistone Literary Festival, along with my friend and fellow novelist, Milly Johnson. Arriving early, I had the opportunity to listen to Michael Fowler talk about his crime novels and life as a former police officer.

Michael Fowler

Milly Johnson and me comparing notes at Penistone Literary Festival

As for the rest of the month – I’m pleased to say that the audio book version of The House on the Shore is underway and will be available to download from Audible, Amazon and iTunes later this year!

I’m also involved in an interesting project with fellow American author, Brenda Hill, but more of that later.

In the meantime, it’s back to working on the next book. Are you curious what it’s all about…? Well here’s a small clue…

A full programme of events has now been released for the inaugural Penistone Literary Festival. Headlined by one of the best poets of his generation, Simon Armitage, and best selling author, Milly Johnson, supported by Andrew Macmillan, crime writer M J Fowler, and other local poets and authors, it promises to be a fun-filled two-days for young and old alike.

There are events for children, Penny the Sheep Children’s exhibition, a vintage tea room, a Bookshop and the chance to purchase a Penny the Sheep Mug!

It’s been a while since I posted, I know. I can’t even use working in the garden as an excuse, because on the whole, the weather has been cold, grey and rather miserable.

But I had some very good news this month – I’ve been invited to speak at the 1st ever Penistone Literary Festival on Sunday 20th July! Ceri Worman and Edana Guest, are working hard to bring the event together.

There’s a stellar line up of writers and poets including, Simon Armitage, Barnsley’s best selling novelist Milly Johnson, Michael Fowler, and Andrew McMillan. There are events for children and even a poetry walk.

I feel very honoured to have been asked to take part and am looking forward to meeting everyone who attends. Once the full programme is announced, I’ll put the link up on this site.

So, if you are in Penistone on Saturday and Sunday, 19th and 20th July, you really should treat yourself and pop along to St John’s Community Centre for a chance to hear about their work.

I’ve also been invited to talk to Springfield Ladies, a local group based in Hoyland, in May.

And finally, I’m planning to turn The House on the Shore into an audiobook, if I can find a narrator who can perform an authentic Scottish accent and who’s not afraid to try pronouncing or learn a few Gaelic words! So, if you or someone you know has what it takes to be a voiceover artist and can speak Gaelic, why not sign up to Audiobook Creation Exchange and submit your audition?

I would say this genre is simliar to Mary Higgens Clark’s books – and just as well done! The writing flowed seamlessly, the dialog felt completely natural, the suspense never let up, and the action scenes were riveting. I loved listening to this book!

What does Michelle Ford bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

I fell in love with Michelle Ford’s female English accent. It was gorgeous, and reminded me of a grown up Haley Mills based on my childhood memories of PollyAnna. (Not that this book is anything like PollyAnna!) Her voice is lyrical, warm, and simply beautiful. Ms. Ford’s American male accent was a bit “nasal” sounding for all of the American men in the story, and once in a great while she slipped from one accent to the other in the wrong places, but it was rare and didn’t bother me. I could NEVER do what this amazing narrator did, which is hold up a conversation with a Brit and an American all the way through the book. I imagine it might be very difficult to do, and I bow down to her immense talent.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

An innocent woman discovers shocking secrets about her husband after his death, aided by an FBI agent she can’t resist, and who has his own share of troubles to hide.

Any additional comments?

I really loved the main character, Grace. She was well-rounded and quite believable. Jack…well, I’m a guy. At first he ticked me off because of his situation at home. I believe in family first and no fooling around! But then more came out about Jack’s true situation (no spoilers here!) and in the end I empathized with him and was cheering him on.

I particularly loved the action scenes – there is a swamp scene where Grace and Jack are on the run from villains, dashing through the cold swamp waters…phenomenal! Also thoroughly enjoyed the description of the house in Florida. Wouldn’t mind going there right about now!

2014 kicked off with a large portion of southern England underwater. While South Yorkshire has been battered intermittently by gale force winds, I’ve been beavering away in my office, and left wondering what happened to January.

My writing time has been divided between working on my current manuscript, speaking engagements, and dipping my toes into the mysterious world of forensic science.

I’ve long harboured the desire to write a crime novel, and when the opportunity to learn something about forensic science with FutureLearn arose, I grabbed it with both hands. FutureLearn is an online study program set up with the cooperation of educators from top UK and international universities. The courses it offers are free and cover a wide range of topics, and are designed to appeal to a broad range of learners. There’s even one on writing fiction. (Advertisement over!)

While I have a good grasp of human biology, its diseases and their aetiology, (I was a business coordinator in the NHS, after all), chemistry and physics leave me cold. That said I am fascinated by the world of forensic science and insist on watching every factual TV programme on the subject.

Over the past five weeks, I have learned about fingermarks, footmarks, (and just so there is no confusion, fingerprints and footprints are what we possess and ‘marks’ are what we leave behind on a surface). The course has also covered DNA, blood spatter patterns, toolmarks, and drugs.

As Edmund Locard, who not only formulated the basic principle of forensic science, and was known as the ‘Sherlock Holmes of France’ once said:

‘Wherever he steps, whatever he touches, whatever he leaves, even unconsciously, will serve as a silent witness against him.’

Very useful for reminding the family that you will find out who removed the last slice of bread from the breadbin and who failed to place the butter back on the shelf in the fridge!

My other half, Stephen, bless him, is looking more and more worried by the day, by my choice of bedtime reading – The Crime Writer’s handbook, 65 Ways to kill your victim…in print, and with the subject matter of my next course – Forensic Science and Crime!

So while Stephen is asking about that mysterious substance I added to the casserole (it was pepper, honestly!) the time has come for me to get my head down and do more writing.

I’m excited to announce that my novel, Ring of Lies, has been recorded as an audiobook.

Produced by Dave Giorgio of BookRite Books and narrated by the amazing Michelle Ford, it is now available from Audible and Amazon, and iTunes.

Even though I regularly listen to audiobooks, I hadn’t realised how much work goes into making a really good listening experience. It is an art form in its own right. A good narrator must also be a skilled actor, and ‘play’ all the roles in the story, giving each character a different voice. Just reading the words on the page is not suffice.

Michelle’s audition for Ring of Lies was amazing. When I heard her utter the words ‘Grace Elliott followed her husband’s coffin down the cobbled path…’a chill ran down my spine. I knew I had found the right narrator. Michelle’s narration brought the book to life. You can feel the character’s happiness, their anxiousness, and even their pain. Those of you who have read the print version know that the story crosses International borders and includes characters from the UK, America, and Mexico. Michelle handled every accent beautifully.

Dave Giorgio, did a sterling job of producing a crystal clear recording, and for liaising with Audible so it was available in time for Christmas 2013.

Listening to Michelle’s interpretation was a heady experience and I could not be more pleased with the result. So, even if you have read Ring of Lies, I think you will enjoy listening to the audiobook. If you’ve never listened to an audiobook before, this might be a good time to give it a try.

As those of you who follow this website will know, I decided to giveaway a Kobo Mini eReader to celebrate the release of the audiobook recording of Ring of Lies.

Congratulations go to Lisa Pogson, whose name was first out of the hat in the draw for the Kobo Mini eReader. I hope you it gives you hours of pleasure, Lisa.

Holiday Special

From the 25th -31st December 2013, you can download a copy of The House on the Shore from any Amazon site for just 99p/99c

Heartbroken Anna MacDonald leaves Edinburgh to find peace at the edge of a Scottish loch. Safely ensconced in her late grandmother’s cottage, she can finally heal her heart and write the novel that has burned inside her for years. Her peace is short-lived. When debonair artist Luke Tallantyre’s yacht gets stranded in the loch, he seeks help at the nearest residence – Anna’s croft. She finds him annoying. He instantly dislikes the stunning but cranky hermit.

But there’s indisputable evidence that a hit man is on the prowl in the village. Is he after Anna? And what is Luke keeping from her that could deepen the danger? Against their wills, they join forces and embark on an adventure neither ever imagined…including a chance at true love.

I want to wish all of my readers, and everybody who has attended one of my events and their families a Merry Christmas. I appreciate all the support you have given me in 2013 and wish you a very Happy and Healthy New Year.

First of all, a big, big thank you to everyone who’s purchased or downloaded one of my books, and who left lovely comments and reviews. It really does make a HUGE difference. Its also been nice to meet some of my readers at events. You’re a lovely bunch, and always so welcoming.

Those of you who follow this page will know that I met fellow members of the Romantic Novelists’ Association at the annual conference held at The Edge, part of the University Sheffield. It is always interesting to meet fellow authors and chat about our current work-in-progress and industry news.

Contest!

I’m thrilled to announce the Audiobook version of Ring of Lies is complete and will be available from Amazon and Audible in time for Christmas. Produced by Dave Giorgio and narrated by Michelle Ford, it sounds fantastic. I’ll be interviewing Michelle and Dave on my blog shortly.

To celebrate the release, I’m offering one lucky subscriber the chance to win a Kobo Mini ereader (worth £59.00)! All you need do to be in with a chance to win, is sign up to my newsletter via mywebsite or blog via the link above. Two runners up will receive an autographed copy of Ring of Lies.

The winner will be drawn on the 20th December.

I’m also working on another novel! The title is a secret, so I don’t wish to give too many details away at this stage, but I can tell you it is set in Scotland.

On Sunday 23rd November, I dusted off my high(er) heels, put on my glad-rags, and headed for the new Leeds Arena for the Andrea Bocelli concert. What can I say, other than his live performance is 1000 times better than listening to one of his CDs. I have to give my lovely other half a huge pat on the back for this Valentine’s Day treat which he purchased for me back in January! Sadly, no photography was allowed during the performance, but I did manage to take a a picture of the pre-performance screen.

And Finally,

Are you stuck for that last minute Christmas gift idea? Why not give someone an autographed copy of one of my books as a present? I’ll even gift wrap it for you. £10 including postage/packaging and festive wrapping. Email me for details.

You haven’t heard from me lately, and it’s for some very good reasons. No, the dog (Rosie) did NOT eat my homework. I’ve been extremely busy promoting my novels, and – yes, it’s true! – negotiating a contract for an audiobook version of Ring of Lies! I’m delighted to announce that it will be available before the year is out. I’m also releasing a special boxed set of Ring of Lies and The House on the Shore later this month, just in time for holiday gift-giving. Both items will delight the dedicated romantic suspense reader!

At the end of September, I travelled to Scotland for a writer’s meeting in romantic Gretna Green. It was wonderful to meet some of my fellow authors and members of the Romantic Novelists’ Association. Unfortunately, for the present, I’m not at liberty to divulge what was discussed during this fascinating afternoon. Suffice to say, if things pan out, next year could be extremely exciting for readers and authors of romantic fiction! Unfortunately, I couldn’t stay for the tour of the World-famous Blacksmiths shop, as I had to return to Barnsley for another meeting later that evening.

Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of reading the pre-release copy of The Seacrest by best selling author, Aaron Paul Lazar. If you’ve never read any of Aaron’s books then you are in for a treat. The Seacrest is a wonderful bittersweet love story that will have you reaching for the box of tissues by the end of chapter three! I could not put the book down, so please visit Aaron’s website for the opportunity to read the first chapter.

On Thursday 10th October, I’m hoping (fingers crossed) to inspire the students of Thomas Rotherham College, as part of their Literacy Week Events. I’ll be speaking about ‘how to take your idea from brainstorm to book,’ so I’m hard at work refining my PowerPoint presentation.

So stay tuned, my dears. I’ll make sure you know when everything is available.